Thousands of dollars in guitars, apparel recovered by sheriff’s detectives

MEDINA — An Elyria man was arrested Thursday after Medina County sheriff’s detectives recovered about $100,000 worth of merchandise stolen from a warehouse in Liverpool Township.

Medina County sheriff’s Detective Jim Cartwright, left, and Lt. Travis Colonius display about a dozen electric guitars that were recovered during a Thursday morning raid in Lorain County. The guitars reportedly were stolen from CPS Delivery Systems’ warehouse in Liverpool Township. (GAZETTE PHOTO BY STEVE GRAZIER)

Stephen C. Bugg, 44, was arrested on a charge of felony theft, accused of helping steal at least 20 electric guitars — each valued between $1,700 and $7,000 — and 25 pairs of shoes or boots, socks and dozens of sweatshirts and T-shirts from a CPS Delivery Systems warehouse.

Sheriff’s Lt. Travis Colonius said Bugg is employed at the warehouse.

Colonius said detectives recovered the merchandise during searches of two homes — one in Lorain and another in Oberlin. The searches lasted about nine hours, from Wednesday evening into early Thursday.

“This was a substantial recovery,” Colonius said. “We’re still counting and totaling the cost of everything.”

Police are investigating how the items were transported from the CPS warehouse to the homes in Lorain County.

Detectives received a tip about missing merchandise from managers of the CPS warehouse, which stores items to be delivered to area outlet stores, Colonius said.

“It’s been about a two-week investigation based on information we got from CPS management,” Colonius said.

Stephen C. Bugg

He said officers from the Lorain and Oberlin police departments assisted in recovering the items.

Additional charges against Bugg and more arrests are expected, the lieutenant said.

Bugg was being held Thursday in the Medina County Jail on $40,000 bond.